Saturday, May 15, 2010

Six Weeks

I've been feeling pretty solid since returning to Alaska on Monday. This is the quickest I've ever recovered from any Ultra. I didn't run until Tuesday but I was never once sore, just a bit tired on Sunday and Monday - by Wednesday I felt as good as I've felt on a run in a long time.

In the end Bear Mountain turned out to be a perfect long "training run" for Western States. I feel really good about where I'm at with 6 weeks to go before what will be my first 100 in 9 months. I find myself thinking a lot more about this race then I have leading up to any race in awhile. On most of my runs this week it was hard not to end up with my mind wandering to thoughts about crew/pacer logistics, heat/elevation acclimatization, and especially about the exciting race at the front of the pack that I hope to be a part of. Something's going to have to give in this one. Hal has won this race two years in a row; Tony has never lost any ultra that he's finished; I've set a course record on every single 100 mile course I've run; and most people in Europe believe that Killian is unbeatable in this one. And then beyond this there are half a dozen or so other guys who could also find a way to scratch and claw their way to the finish in Auburn before everyone else.

It should be really fun to be a part of this. I like my chances of having a satisfying race. I'm stronger, smarter, and more confident as a competitor than I've ever been. I feel very optimistic that this will be one of the most fun races I'll ever be a part of. And perhaps the best part is that as excited as I am for June 26th, I'm just as excited for the training runs that I'll be doing between now and then.

"I'm sure Western States is an amazing race, but I have never been one to choose my races based on how much other people want to do them. I get goose bumps thinking about riding The Great Divide Race next month. Western States on the other hand kind of seems a little too hyped for me. When you finish The Great Divide Race in Antelope Wells, New Mexico you are greeted by a border agent (if it's during the day, there's no one there at night) and then you ride your bike back 80 miles to get somewhere that you can actually get on a bus back to reality. When you finish Western States you are greeted by thousands of cheering fans and media with cameras and microphones. This is not a bad thing. It's just not so much for me."

What has changed for you in the last couple of years? Have you succumbed to the hype?

Anonymous, while the hype surrounding WS100 is not necessarily what Geoff looks for typically, something has to be said about the opportunity for Geoff, Hal, Killian, Anton, and Tsuyoshi to all test themselves against each other. I'll be racing there myself, but after seeing this kind of field, I'd almost rather be at home looking at live updates to see who can edge out who.

of course i've changed in two years. who hasn't? and as collin correctly presumed my excitement about this one has a lot more to do with the other runners that i hope to be fortunate enough to compete against, than with all the attention that everyone else will be paying to this race.

Guys, what is wrong with "hype"? Just like the heat, its another factor to deal with at WS. The only way to succumb to it is to race poorly because of it. Sports is littered with those who can't handle "hype". Did you see Lebron the other day? Geoff, rip it up out there! In the mean time, don't forget to get your fill of the Grateful Dead to keep it real.

Geoff This will be an exciting race and good luck to you. When Mike Morton set A course record in 97 I thought it was the greatest thing ever in ultrarunning, because eastern runners did not get much respect out west. Jureks (Ihope I spelled it right) record is only 4 minutes faster. In 13 years! The only course you have run that I know is Mt.Masochist, after that race I think you can do anything!

NOBODY is unbeatable. Before my CR at Way too Cool all the folks from Colorado said that Mackey is going to win it. Three years ago at the first NF San Francisco race I was told that everyone in Colorado has their money on Carpenter, everyone in the Northwest was betting on me.Of course all the Europeans bet on Killian....

May be Killian is as good as advertised. May be not. I mean, Karl was considered by many unbeatable at Wasatch.

And don't listen to the anonymous dude and "Matt". If you are one of the best you should go to the races where the best run. And in the US for the 100 mile distance it's at Western, whether you like it or not. Some hype is good for the sport. Hope the live webcast will actually be updated LIVE and not with a 2-3 hour delay as sometimes in the past.I'd say you've got as good a chance as anyone to break the CR. I know you're a better 50 mile runner than Scott J, and you can obviously handle 100s.

If you, Tony, Hal,and Kilian all arrive on June 26th healthy and in good form, it's going to be among the most competitive ultras ever, if not the most competitive ever. As a neutral spectator, I only hope that everyone is able to perform to the best of their abilities. Good luck!

Charlie: Leaning towards running Berlin this fall to make one more run at the German marathon team for Worlds next year. And I have to figure out how to eat during ultras without throwing up.... used to do that with no problem, at least on long training runs. May be at the slower pace of 100s I'd be fine.

Yeah, man, I want to see Uli at 100s as well. Maybe the all gel and liquid diet would prevent throwing up, it usually works well for me, though I think it would be harder to keep stuff down at the type of pace Uli runs.

I'm with Karl. Who gives a rat about the record. Records don't matter as long as you get the win or put yourself in a position to be there in the end. The focus of a CR takes away what is really at stake and that is to show up on race day, relaxed and ready to crank it. Only a few more weeks boys and one of the most competitive ultras in years will start. Let's make everyone gets there first.

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